In this moving sermon from The Table Church DC, Heidi explores how to authentically engage with joy without ignoring the world's pain and darkness. Through Mary Oliver's poetry and the revolutionary words of Mary of Nazareth, she unpacks how small moments of delight can fuel resistance and hope. Perfect for anyone struggling to balance awareness of injustice with the need to stay sustained and nourished in the work of creating a better world.

Drawing on her experiences as a woman in ministry and someone who struggles with traditional holiday expectations, Heidi offers a fresh perspective on the Magnificat and what it means to embrace joy as an act of prophetic imagination. This sermon weaves together contemporary poetry, progressive theology, and practical wisdom for finding light in difficult times.

In this compelling meditation on joy during difficult times, elder Shae Washington weaves together Nikki Giovanni's radical poetry with Mary's subversive Magnificat. Through fresh interpretations of these revolutionary texts, Washington explores how marginalized voices throughout history have claimed joy as an act of resistance. Drawing on personal stories, historical context, and contemporary struggles, she challenges us to see joy not as an emotion dependent on circumstances, but as a posture of hope and defiance in the face of empire. Part of The Table Church's "Poetry of Advent" series examining sacred and secular poetry as spiritual practice.

Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction

3:45 Nikki Giovanni's Poetry of Black Joy

8:30 Mary's Magnificat as Revolutionary Text

15:20 Joy as Resistance in Modern Context

21:00 Three Keys to Finding Joy

26:30 Closing Reflection and Song

#Advent #Poetry #Faith #Resistance #Joy #NikkiGiovanni #Spirituality #ProgressiveChristianity

From reciting Langston Hughes in second grade to exploring the wilderness with John the Baptist, Rev. Tonetta Landis-Aina of The Table Church shares a fresh perspective on finding peace through poetry. Through the works of Lucille Clifton, Mary Oliver, and Ann Porter, she weaves together childhood memories, artistic wisdom, and ancient spiritual truths. This message invites viewers to experience both the sweetness and difficulty of life as paths to authentic transformation. A timely reflection for anyone seeking to reconnect with wonder and meaning in our complex world. Join The Table Church DC in discovering how poetry can help us see the sacred in everyday moments.

In a world designed to hijack our attention, what happens when we deliberately choose where to focus? Through stories ranging from an Alaskan gas station attendant to Tolkien's Middle-earth, Pastor Anthony Parrott explores how paying attention can be an act of rebellion and hope. Drawing on Mary Oliver's poetry and ancient wisdom, this talk challenges us to notice both beauty and injustice in our daily lives. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the noise of modern life or searching for meaning in cycles of change.

Recorded at The Table Church in Washington, DC on the first Sunday of Advent 2024.

Topics covered:

#Mindfulness #Hope #Progressive #Faith #Spirituality #DCChurch #PayingAttention #MaryOliver #Tolkien

What if Jesus' words about "storing treasures in heaven" weren't about the afterlife at all? In this message, Pastor Anthony Parrott explores Luke 12:32-34, challenging us to rethink our understanding of fear, generosity, and what it means to build alternative economies as a church community. Learn how addressing our fears head-on and embracing God's abundance can lead to revolutionary generosity and justice-centered community building.

What is church? In this debut episode of LOAM, co-pastors Tonetta Landis-Aina and Anthony Parrott explore the essence, tensions, and beauty of Christian community. From underground churches in Yemen to food pantries in Iowa, they unpack personal experiences that have shaped their understanding of what makes church...church.

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In this opening message of our "Future With Hope" series, Pastor Tonetta unpacks Jeremiah 29 - a passage often reduced to an inspirational quote but actually written to people in exile. Through examining the original context and drawing modern parallels, she explores how God's promises of hope often come in unexpected ways and unexpected places. Featuring an elder panel discussion about The Table Church's vision for the future, this message challenges us to embrace both present faithfulness and future hope, even when we feel displaced from what's familiar.

In this conclusion to our "Shadowboxing" series, Pastor Tonetta Landis-Aina explores the Book of Daniel's apocalyptic visions and their relevance to our modern struggles. Through the lens of Daniel's dreams, she offers a profound meditation on remaining human in the face of systemic injustice, the power of imagination in resistance, and finding hope in times that feel apocalyptic. Rather than interpreting the dreams of empire, she challenges us to dream our own dreams of justice and renewal.

Pastor Anthony Parrott tackles the reality of death and loss, revealing how authentic grief and defiant hope can—and must—coexist. Drawing from Scripture and contemporary poetry, discover why hope isn't a delicate bird, but a resilient sewer rat that refuses to let death have the final word.

Why do bad things happen if God is good? Journey through biblical history to discover how our understanding of Satan transformed from a divine legal prosecutor to the ruler of this world's broken systems. Learn how the Bible's view of evil evolved, from ancient chaos monsters to the familiar adversary we know today. This eye-opening sermon challenges both fundamentalist and modernist views, revealing how spiritual warfare isn't just about demons and exorcisms - it's about creating communities of justice, forgiveness, and radical inclusion. Perfect for anyone wondering about the nature of evil, the role of Satan in modern life, and how we can meaningfully resist darkness in today's world.